Handstitched

Weird !! Wet it, stretch it . Nice colour .

The only time I sew the keepers in are on bridles, cheek straps etc. not on belts.Just a bit fiddly using harness needles. . Apart from the heavy duty belts, all my belts have interchangeable buckles (w/ press studs) . The keepers on the heavy belts , I don't sew those in. Any sewing or rivets I use , hold the keeper in place anyway. HS

This is going to be added to my ' stuff to get' list . Thanks

This guy is a multi billionaire and he's complaining about tax? As far as I am aware, none us one here imports household goods . Most of the stuff I bought from O/S was simply not available here in Oz, and people buy from O/S because its cheaper, even with GST . My 2 cents worth + GST . Anyway, back on topic. I'd be interested in knowing how long the battery lasts as in shelf life . Handy device though , I guess I would do a lot more air brushing with that than having to set up the compressor hoses etc. each and every time. HS

Now that IS odd . That raises more questions . Going off topic here....soz. Do they have an agreement with the ATO ? Oz 'gubment' ? Kickbacks ? HS

That kinda defeats the ' cordless' aspect of it. Let us know how it goes after a few weeks or so.

Its a ' racing ' version, so you can sew faster .

I just used my air brush for the first time in a while this arvo. Admittedly its does take a little setting up, getting the compressor fired up etc. so I can sure see the benefits of that , assuming you charge it up? HS

Seeing the machine collapsed inside the table is a sad sight to see. Looks unloved Good luck with the build HS

I wouldn't use an iron, but wetting it and , if possible, clamp it so it 'stretches' out a bit may help and let it naturally dry out . Perhaps something heavy over the creases ? HS

Do the edges really have to be that perfect anyway?

My first thought is that they were burnished/polished using a machine , and a leather core giving them a ' raised' look in the centre. A soft-ish leather on the top with a heavier leather on the underside, burnished before sewing. What are they, cuffs ?? HS

@chuck123wapati I was offered an old 'Fordson' Major P6 ' yesterday for just a few hundred bucks . The P6's are the 6 cyl. version of mine with a Perkins diesel engine. As tempting as it was, I don't know too much about old diesels, plus its hard to find time to play with the ones I already have . Perhaps if it was a 4cyl. I would have taken it, parts are always handy to have.I also have 3 old 1960's LWB Landrovers I'd love to play with. I need a full week ..or more, away from the workshop and markets to do all the things I wanna do and to play with. But when orders keep coming in, its difficult. No rest for the wicked eh? I can make everything else, except time. Its curry night tonight Might try a nice slow cooked curry, a beef rendang in a week or so using brisket. Rendang is a Malay curry, I think. HS

I worked at a newspaper in my younger days. Out he back collecting supplies, someone yelled out " quick, get an ambulance !!" I turned around and saw a bloke with two of his fingers hanging down on a few bit s of skin. He got his hand caught in a guillotine . He lost his fingers. I nearly threw up and almost passed out...I wasn't feeling very well HS

Roses carved & coloured in leather really are a stand out for me, that and acorns & oak leaves. They're enjoyable to carve & tool as well as just to look at the finished product. I can thank Al Stohlman for that . We have roses all around our house, Mum & Dads fave flower , and in different varieties . I look forward to the day when science...or maybe Mother Nature can produce a true 'blue rose' . HS

@VIIXCIV Have a read of this: Hope theres some help in this.

Heres a little bit more: These are those letters I found in a craft shop. And the book was put out by Tandy . The number of the book is # 1936 HS

My intro to leather, I nearly lost the tips of my fingers. My fingers were just over the edge of the ruler when cutting ...and ...OOPS!!! The tips of my fingers were nice and straight though HS

Pity you're not in Australia . I'd have those. The freight would be astronomical from Texas . I have a small collection of lasts. HS

Yes, its is quite special. Thank you for sharing . All we ever get to see is the occasional bob tail ( lizard) , and the occasional kangaroo . HS

I agree. I choose life , Friends , food, beer...to go with the food and the friends & fellowship I don't do social media .... I do reality HS

It took 3 of us to off load my machine from the couriers ute,( pick up ) including the courier. It was in a huge wood crate. I didn''t fully realise how heavy the machine was . After unpacking ,assembly etc. it took two of us, myself & my Father to lift the head into position . I gave it a wipe down as it was very oily. I also chose very carefully where it was going to sit in the workshop because once it was all set up,...... it 'ain't moving no more !! I do hope you're OK and all the best. HS

Well done You'll be like a kid on Christmas Day when it arrives, and you'll be forgiven for feeling a little anxious over the next few weeks . Its a big investment . I'm glad I ordered the ' biggie' , never looked back. HS

@Tequila I'm pretty sure I have some cardboard letters in my workshop. They would normally be used for stenciling or some other craft . They're in sets & different sizes, and one set has a ' western' look about them . I got them at a haberdashery/ craft shop. I also have a leather book on making letters too somewhere. And although a bit time consuming, you could print them out onto something other than paper . And, no, its not a stupid question HS

So true What you can't see in the pics , is what hanging up....now, that pic is a few years old . Theres stock saddles, & tack all over the place, over the door. Just about every nook & cranny is filled with ...something I should take an updated pic/s and post in the off topic bit.